Taping machine



Sept. 29, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ETAL TAPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet l FiledApril 8. 1950 Sept. 29, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ETAL TAPING MACHINE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8. 1950 Sept 29, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ET A1.2,553,727

TAPING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I VENTORJ w gm By@da M Mmbm Sept. 29, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ETAL TAPING MACHINE Filed April8. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 29, 1953 A. A. WAGNER ET AL 2,653,727

TAPING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 4 a/ Lmd5/M Patented Sept. 29, 1953 TAPING MACHINE Adolph A. Wagner,Milwaukee, Arnold J. Werner, Elm Grove, and William R. Ross, Milwaukee,

Wis.

Application April 8, 1950, Serial No. 154,782

(Cl. 21S-22) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in taping machines, and moreparticularly, to machines for tape sealing cartons.

In recent years it has become increasingly popular to packagecommodities in cartons formed of fibrous material such as thosematerials commonly known as ber-board, kraft, corrugated cardboard, orthe like. Many forms of canned and bottled goods are now being shippedin this type of carton which will hereinafter be referred to broadly bythe term fiberboard, it being understood that this term is meant tocover any of the above-mentioned materials or any equivalent material.

The fiber-board cartons of the type referred to are usually rectangularin shape and have foldable cover flaps forming extensions of the sideand end walls thereof. It has been standard practice heretofore, afterthe carton is lled, to fold the end flaps of the carton inwardly towardeach other into a common plane and to then fold the side cover apsinwardly toward each other and into contact with the upper surfaces ofthe folded end cover naps. The package was sealed by gluing thepreviously folded side cover naps to the end cover flaps.

In manually opening a fiber-board carton of the type having itsl coverflaps sealed with glue in the manner just described, it is usuallyirnpossible to avoid tearing or cutting the cover flaps, therebyrendering the carton uniit for reuse.

With the above in mind, it is a general object oi the present inventionto provide an improved device for sealing fiber-board cartons havingoldable cover naps, said device sealing said cartons in a manner so thatthe cover flaps can be easily opened without any substantial damagethereto, thereby making reuse of said cartons possible and entirelyfeasible.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device ofthe class described having a single pair of spring loaded pressurerollers which are mounted for reciprocating movement longitudinaily ofthe path of movement of the cartons moving through the machine, saidrollers being operable to maintain a downward pressure on the endportions of the taped carton tops for a sustained predetermined periodduring movement in the same direction as said cartons and at the samespeed, and said rollers contacting the intermediate portions of thetaped carton tops during movement in a direction counter to thedirection of movement of he cartons.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device ofthe class described which is constructed in a manner to be readilyadjustable for tape sealing cartons of various sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tapingmachine of the class described wherein tape from a single roll isapplied to the tops of cartons as said cartons are moved through themachine in equally spaced and alined relationship, said device havingnovel means for severing the tape between the moving cartons and forapplying the severed ends of the tape sections to the end walls of thecartons.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device ofthe class described having a vertically reciprocating knife for severingthe tape between adjacent cartons on a conveyor', said knife beingdisposed at an angle to the plane ofthe tape to insure a proper cuttingrather than a breaking action.

' A furtherl object of the invention is to provide an improved machineof the class described having a pair of spring loaded rollers mountedfor swingable movement as well as for vertical reciprocatable movementwith the severing knife, said rollers being operable to apply thesevered tape ends to the adjacent end walls of the cartons.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tapingmachine wherein the vertically reciprocating tape severing mechanism isactuated by a vertically reciprocating plunger mounted thereabove.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of theimproved taping machine and all of its parts and combinations as setforth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification,wherein are shown three forms of the invention, and wherein the samecharacters of reference indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side view of the improved taping machine showingcartons positioned therein, parts being broken away and in section forclarity;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the improved taping machine shownin Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a semi-diagrammatic side view, with parts broken away and insection, showing the relationship of the parts and the positions of thecartons when the cutter-head assembly is in its lowermost position;

Fig. 4 is a semi-diagrammatic side view similar to Fig. 3 showing therelationship of the parts and the positions of the cartons at two otherintervals in a cycle of operation, parts being broken away and insection;

Fig. is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takenapproximately along the line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takenapproximately along the line 6--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modied form of theinvention wherein the cutter head is actuated by a plunger mechanismmounted on a movable carrier, parts being broken away; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of theinvention having a stationary carrier and having a cutter head assemblyactuated by a xedly mounted plunger mechamsm.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will appear that theimproved taping machine has a frame indicated by the numeral I0. Theframe I9 comprises a pair of spaced parallel rectangular vertical platesII and |2. adjustably connected to each of the plates I I and I2adjacent each end thereof is a depending leg I3 having a base plate I4.The legs I3 are slotted as at I5 to receive bolts I6. The legs I3 arechannel shaped in cross section and t around vertically extending barmembers I'I which are fixed, as by welding, to the side plates I I andI2. The bolts I6 are threaded into suitable apertures in the bars toadjustably position the legs I3 to suit requirements. Fixed to the innersurface of the side plates II and I2 are a pair of elongatedhorizontally extending parallel channel members |8 and I9. The channelmembers I8 and I9 are positioned with their flanges extending inwardlytoward each other.

A horizontally extending tie rod is connected at its opposite ends tothe side plates and I2 as well as to the channel members I8 and I9.Extending between the channel members |8 and I9 and xed, as by welding,at their opposite ends to said channel members I8 and I3 aretransversely extending angle members 2|, 22 and 23. The angle members2|, 22 and 23 have horizontally extending co-planar upper surfaces.These angle members are formed with cut-out portions adjacent each end,as at 24, to permit the ends of said angle members to be connected tothe web portion of the channels I8 and IS while permitting a substantialportion of said angle members to extend upwardly above the uppermostflange of said channel members, as shown. Extending longitudinally ofthe machine substantially midway between the side plates and I2 andpositioned on the upper surfaces of the angled members 2 I, 22 and 23 isan elongated horizontal plate 2.. Fixed to the upper surface of theplate 25 adjacent each edge thereof is an elongated bar 26.

Journaled in suitable bearings adjacent the upper front (lefthand inFig. 1) corners of the side plates and I2, is a rotatable transverselyextending shaft 21. Fixed on the shaft 2'I are a pair of spacedsprockets 28 and 29 which are disposed on opposite sides of the plateand inwardly of the side plates II and I2, as shown in Fig. 2. A tie rodis positioned below and slightly rearwardly of the shaft 21 and extendstransversely between the side plates and I2, being connected to saidplates at its opposite ends. Rotatably mounted on the tie rod 30 andaligned Vertically in the same vertical planes with the sprockets 28 and29 respectively, are a pair of idler sprockets 3| and 32. An endlesschain 33 extends around the sprockets 28 and 3| and has an upperhorizontal stretch which extends rearwardly parallel with the plate 25to a drive sprocket (not shown). An endless chain 34 extends around thesprockets 29 and 32 and has an upper stretch which extends horizontallyrearwardly to a drive sprocket (not shown) which is fixed to the samedrive shaft as the drive sprocket for the chain 33. A drive shaft (notshown) is, in turn, driven by a suitable prime mover (not shown).

.An elongated angle member 35 extends longitudinally of the machine andhas a horizontal flange extending under the chain 33, said angle memberhaving a vertical flange outwardly adjacent the chain 33. The anglemember 35 may be supported in spaced relation above the transverse anglemembers 2|, 22 and 23 by suitable blackets, such as those shown at 36and 31. The angle member 35 serves as a track in which the chain 33 canslidably travel in the event said chain becomes slack during use. Anangle member 33 may be supported in spaced relation above the transverseangle members 2|, 22 and 23 by suitable brackets 39 and 40 and isassociated with the chain 34 in the same manner as the angle member 35is associated with the chain 33.

Extending transversely between the endless chains 33 and 34 andconnected at their opposite ends to said chains, are equally spacedconveyor flights 4|. The flights 4| on the upper stretch of the chains33 and 34 extend transversely above the plate 25 and the bars 26thereon, as clearly shown in Fig. l. The chains 33 and 34 are moved bytheir driving sprockets in a direction to cause the upper stretches tomove from the rear forwardly (from right to left, as shown in Figs. l to4).

The numeral 42 indicates a generally inverted U -shaped vertical carrierstructure which extends transversely of the machine and is movablelongitudinally thereof". 'Ihe carrier 42 has a pair of spaced paralleltransversely extending horizontal bars 4S and 42a which are xed at oneend to the upper ends of spaced parallel vertically extending bars 44.The bars 43 and. 45a are connected at their opposite ends to the upperends of a pair of spaced parallel vertically extending bars 45. The bars44 are joined at their upper ends by a block 4E, and the bars 45 arejoined at their upper ends by a block 41 (see 2). At their lower ends,the bars 44 are xed to a longitudinally extending vertical plate 43, andthe bars 45 are fixed at their lower ends to a longitudinally extendingvertical plate 49. Extending horizontally rearwardly from the plates 48and 49 are the legs of U-shaped horizontally extending reinforcingmember |4l which rigidly connects the plate 48 to the plate 49.

Fixed to the upper surface of the channel I9 is an elongated bar 59which projects inwardly beyond the inner edge of the upper flange of thechannel i9, as shown in Fig. 2. The plate 48 is spaced a predetermineddistance inwardly of the bar 50, and fixed to the plate 48 are a pair ofslide bearing blocks 5| which slidably support one end of the carrier 42on the bar 5l). A pair of slide bearing blocks 5I are fixed to the plate48 and slidably engage the underside of the bar 52.

An elongated slide bar 53, similar to the bar 50, is xed to the uppersurface of the side channel I8, as shown. The vertical plate 4G isspaced a predetermined distance inwardly of the bar 53 and has fixedthereto a pair of bearing blocks 54 which slidably support the end ofthe carrier 42 adjacent the plate 49, on the slide bar 53. The blocks 54are similar to the blocks 5I, and a pair of slide blocks 55 are fixed tothe plate 49 for slidable engagement with the underside of the bar 53.It is apparent that the slide blocks I to 54 and the bars 58 and 53provide a slidably movable, yet firm, support for the carrier 42.

Journalled in suitable bearings on the plates I I and I2, andintermediate the length of the slide bars 58 and 53, is a transverserotatable shaft 56. Journalled in suitable bearings on the side platesIl and I2 forwardly of the shaft 56 is a transverse rotatable shaft 51.Sprockets 58 and 58 are fixed to each of the outer ends of the shaft 56,and sprockets 59 and 59 are xed to the shaft 51 outwardly of each of theplates l! and I2. The sprockets 58 and 59 are connected by endlesschains 60 which may have their lower stretches travelling over idlerrollers 6I mounted on the outer surfaces of the plates Il and I2, asshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fixed to the shaft 21 between the plate Il and the sprocket 29 is asprocket 62, and fixed to the shaft 51 in alinement with the sprocket 82is a sprocket 63. Pivotally mounted at one end on the tie rod 30 betweenthe plate II and the sprocket 32 is an arm 64 having rotatably mountedat its outer end a sprocket B5 which is in alinement with the sprockets62 and 63. An endless chain 66 extends around the sprockets 62, 63 and65 to provide a drive for the shafts 51 and 56.

Projecting inwardly from the plate I I adjacent the sprocket 65 is ablock 61, and fixed, as by welding, to the free end of the arm 54 is anut 6B. An adjustment bolt 68 is threaded through the nut 88 and has itsend in abutment with the block 61. By tightening the bolt 68 the nut 68may be urged away from the block 61 and the sprocket 55 can be thusmoved in a chain tightening direction. A jamb nut 10 is provided on thebolt 69 adjacent the nut 68 to lock the bolt 69 in a desired position ofadjustment.

Fixedly mounted on the shaft 56 inwardly of the plates 48 and 49 are apair of cam members 1l and 12 which have cam grooves formed in theirouter faces. Depending from the plate 48 adjacent the front end thereofis a bar 13 having rotatably mounted at its lower end a cam roller 14which extends horizontally into the groove of the cam 1I. A bar 15depends from the forward end portion of the plate 49 and carries at itslower end a rotatable cam roller 16 which extends horizontally into thegroove of the cam 12.

The cam members 1I and 12 are provided with identical cam grooves, saidgrooves each having a portion of constant radius, a portion ofincreasing radius, and a portion of decreasing radius, as shown in Figs.l, 3 and 4. It is apparent that rotation of the cams 1| and 12 in thedirection indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 cause movement ofthe carrier 42 to the left as the followers 14 and 16 follow the portionof increasing radius of the cam grooves.

Upon reaching the portion of maximum radius of the cam grooves, therollers 14 and 16 follow the portions of decreasing radius of the camgrooves, and the carrier is thereby moved back toward its originalposition. When the followers 14 and 16 leave the portions of decreasingradius of the cam grooves and enter the portions of the constant radius,the carrier 42 is held in the position shown in Fig. 1, until thefollowers 14 and 16 again move into the portions of increasing ra#-dius, at which time a new cycle of reciprocatlon is begun. The camgrooves are of such conformation that when the followers 14 and 16 aretravelling in the portions of increasing radius thereof, the carrier 42is moved in the same direction as the upper stretches of the chains 33and 34, and for a predetermined distance is moved at substantially thesame speed as said chains.

Extending transversely of the machine between the vertical rods 44 andthe vertical rods 45, and projecting outwardly beyond the side lates I Iand I 2, is a bar 11. The bar 11 is mounted in suitable slide blockswhich are interposed between the bars 44 and between the bars 45, andwhich are in slidable contact with the opposed surfaces of said bars.

Mounted on the outer ends of the shaft 51 are a pair of cam members 18and 19. The cam members 18 and 19 are each formed with a cam groove onits inner face, the major portion of each cam groove having a constantradius and the remaining portion of said cam groove having a shorterradius as is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

A pair of levers 88 are pivotally mounted intermediate their length onthe outer surfaces of the side plates II and I2. The levers 88 aremovable in a vertical plane inwardly of the cams 18 and 19 and havetheir rear ends pivotally connected to the outer ends of the transversebar 11 through links SI. The transverse bar 11 carries intermediate itslength a cutter head assembly 84 to be described hereinafter. Suitablecounter weights 82 may be attached to the forward ends of the levers 88to counter-balance the forces urging the opposite ends of said leversdownwardly.

Carried by the levers 8D above the shaft 51 is a rotatable cam followingroller 83 which extends horizontally into the groove of the cam 18, asis clearly shown in Fig. 1. It is apparent that rotation of the cams 18and 19 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 causes arelatively rapid lowering of the rod 'I1 followed by an equally rapidraising of said rod to its original level. It is also apparent that therod 11 will be thereafter held at its original level until thecompletion of one revolution of the cams 18 and 19.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, the numeral 84 indicates a cutter headassembly which is carried by and depends from the transverse bar 11 at apoint intermediate its length. The cutter head assembly 84 is comprisedof a pair of spaced parallel vertical bars 85 and 86 which arerectangularly recessed at their upper ends to receive the bar 11 andwhich are fixed to the bar 11 by means of suitable screws 81 (see Fig.6). Formed in the bottom surface of the bar 85 adjacent its forward endis a vertical blade-receiving slot 81, and formed in the lower surfaceof the bar 86 adjacent the rear end thereof is a verticalblade-receiving slot 88. A cutter blade 89, preferably having a serratedlower edge, is removably fixed at one end in the slot 81 and isremovably fixed at its other end in the slot 88.

The end of the blade in the slot 81 is higher than the opposite end ofsaid blade, thereby causing the lower edge of said blade to be disposedat an angle to horizontal as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In addition, theslots 81 and 88 position the blade 8S so that it extends diagonallybetween the bars 85 and 86 rather than parallel with the bar 11.

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that xedly mounted in suitableapertures in the bars 85 and 88 and positioned adjacent and parallelwith the bottom of the transverse bar 11, is a shaft 90.

Pivotally mounted on the shaft 90 are a pair of spaced arms 9| and 92.The arm 92 is positioned adjacent the bar S5 and the bar 9| ispositioned adjacent the bar 86. A helical spring 93 is positioned aroundthe shaft 90 and has one end extending through a suitable aperture inthe arm 92. The opposite end of the spring 93 extends through a suitableaperture in the arm 9|, and said spring urges the arms 3| and 92 inopposite directions away from each other.

The free end of the arm S2 is apertured to threadedly receive one end ofa shaft 94 which extends substantially parallel with the shaft 90. Alock nut 95 locks the shaft 34 to the arm 32. Rotatably mounted on theshaft 94 is a cylindrical roller SS of sponge rubber or other suitablematerial. The roller 96 is maintained on the shaft 94 by any suitablemeans such as a cotter key 91 extending through a suitable aperture inthe end of said shaft.

The end of the arm 9| is apertured to threadedly receive a shaft 98 inthe same manner as the shaft 94 is carried by the arm 92. A cylindricalroller 93, similar to the roller 96, is rotatably mounted on the shaft98 and is held on said shaft by any suitable means such as the cotterkey which extends through a suitable aperture in the opposite end ofsaid shaft. Fixed to the bar 85 is an angularly disposed L-shapedbracket |0| having a portion projecting over the arm 92. A set screw |02is threaded through the bracket |0| and has one end in abutment with thearm 92, as shown, to limit the movement of said arm and of the rollerS6. The adjustment screw |02 is provided with a lock nut |03.

Fixed to the bar 8S is an angularly disposed L-shaped bracket |04 havinga portion projecting over the arm 9|. A set screw |05 is threadedthrough the bracket |04 and has an end in abutment with the arm 0| tolimit the movement of said arm and of the roller 99. The adjustmentscrew is provided with a lock nut |06. It is apparent that the spring 93urges the arms 9| and 92 into contact with the adjustment screws |05 and|02, respectively, and that when said arms are moved toward each otherthe spring 93 is subjected to deformation.

A pair of parallel L-shaped members |01 and |08 each having an elongatedleg and a relatively short leg, are formed with elongated slots |09adjacent the end of the elongated legs thereof. The members |01 and |08are connected to and depend from a central portion of the rearwardtransverse bar 43 of the carrier 42. Bolts ||0 project through the slots|09 and are threaded into the bar 43. A spacer block spaces each of themembers |01 and |08 from the bar 43, as shown, and the bolts ||0 extendthrough said blocks. The members |01 and |08, because of their positionsubstantially midway of the length of the bar 63, are rearwardlyadjacent the cutterhead assembly 84.

Bolted to the undersides of the short arms of the members |01 and |08 isa transversely extending horizontal plate |l2. The plate ||2 is formedwith an aperture ||3 therethrough between the member i0? and theadjacent end of plate. Preferably fixed to the upper surface of theplate i |2 in registration with the aperture H3 is a verticallyextending sleeve ||4 having a bore of substantially the same diameter asthat of the aperture i |3. The plate l 2 is formed with an aperture l |5therethrough positioned between the member |08 and the adjacent end ofsaid plate. A vertically extending sleeve H6, having a bore diametersubstantially equal to that of the aperture ||5 is preferably fixed tothe upper surface of the plate ||2 in registration with the aperture||5.

A round shaft ||1 is slidably positioned in the sleeve ||4 and in theaperture ||3 and projects downwardly below the plate I |2. IThe upperend of the shaft ||1 is threaded to receive a pair of nuts H8 which abutthe upper end of the sleeve i ifi. A round shaft I9 is positioned in thesleeve ||6 and in the aperture ||5 and projects below the plate H2. rEheshaft ||9 has its upper end threaded to receive a pair of nuts |23 whichabut the upper end of the sleeve HB. Connected at its opposite ends tothe lower ends of the shafts ||1 and |9, is a transversely extendinghorizontal shaft |2|. A washer |22 is positioned around the shaft ||1and rests on the shaft |2|, as shown, and a helical compression spring|23 is positioned around the shaft ||1 between the washer |22 and theplate ||2. A washer |24 is positioned on the shaft ||S and rests on theshaft |2|, as shown, and a helical compression spring |25 is positionedaround the shaft ||3 between the plate ||2 and the washer |24. Acylindrical roller |26, of sponge rubber or other suitable material, isrotatably positioned on the shaft IZI, as shown. It is apparent that thesprings E23 and |25 urge the shafts Hi, H9 and |2|, along with theroller |26, downwardly to normally maintain the nuts ||3 and 22,x inabutment with the upper end of the sleeves ||4 and i IE respectively.

For the purposes of brevity, the roller assembly supported by themembers |31 and |08 is designated generally as the pressure rollerassembly |21. A pressure roller assembly |28 which is substantiallyidentical to the pressure roller assembly |21 is connected to anddepends from the forward surface of the forward transverse bar 43, asshown in Figs. l, 2 and 5. The pressure roller assembly |28 islongitudinally alined with the cutter-head assembly 84 and with thepressure roller assembly |21.

Fixedly connected to the longitudinal frame channels |8 and |9 andextending transversely above and across the longitudinal plate E5 at apoint spaced rearwardly of the reciproca-table carrier 52, is aninverted U-shaped frame |29. The frame |26 rotatably supports a.horizontal roller |30 in a position in longitudinal alinement with. thecutter-head assembly 84 and the pressure roller assemblies |21 and |28,the roller |30 being spaced a predetermined distance above the plate 25.

Operation In operation, the improved taping machine is installed in aconveyor system wherein a feed conveyor (not shown) delivers cartons tobe taped onto the rear end of the plate 25, in longitudinal alinement.The flights 4| on the chains 33 and 34 engage the rear ends of saidcartons and move said cartons along the plate 25 through the machine inequally spaced longitudinally alined relation. At the forward end of themachine, the cartons are discharged onto a suitable delivery conveyor(not shown). For the purpose of explanation, the cartons shown in all ofthe views are designated by the numerals |31. |32, |33 and |34.

A roll of adhesive tape, (not shown), such gummed paper tape, is mountedon the improved machine above and rearwardly of the roller |30. Anextent of tape |35 is led from said roll and 9. under the roller |30,which applies said tape .to the tops of the cartons as said cartons movethereunder along the plate 25. The tape |35 is suitably moistened beforeit reaches the roller |30.

The cartons of the type sealed by the improved machine, are preferablythose having foldable side and end cover flaps, and before said cartonsare delivered onto the plate 25, said cover aps are folded inwardly, asshown in Fig. 6, by conventional flap folding mechanisms (not shown).The flap folding mechanisms rst fold the end flaps inwardly and thenfold the side flaps inwardly, the inner edges of said side flaps meetingsubstantially along the longitudinal center line of the carton. As thetape |35 is applied to the tops of the cartons, it too is positionedsubstantially along the longitudinal center line of said cartons,thereby covering the line of juncture of the folded side flaps andsealingly connecting said side flaps together. The adhesion of the tape|35 to the tops of the moving cartons causes said tape to be drawn fromits roll at a substantially constant speed equal to the speed ofadvancement of the cartons.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the tape |35, asapplied to the cartons adjacent the roller |30, extends from the top ofone carton horizontally to the top of the next adjacent carton as shownat |36 and |31. The cutter head assembly 84 is designed to sever thetape |35 between each pair of adjacent cartons and to apply the severedends of the tape to the adjacent end walls of the cartons. The pressureroller assemblies |21 and |28 firmly press down the cover naps of thecartons adjacent the cutterhead assembly 84 so that the application ofthe severed adhesive tape ends to the end walls of the cartons resultsin said tape ends holding the cover flaps in the desired downwardlyfolded position. In addition, the pressure roller assemblies |21 and |29insure rm adhesion of the tape |35 to the tops of the cover flaps by arolling pressure contact on said tape between severing operations, aswill be further described in detail hereinafter.

Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6 show the cutter-head assembly, the carrier 42, andthe cartons in position to being a cycle of operation. It will be notedthat when the parts are in position to being a cycle the cutter-head andthe carrier are longitudinally positioned substantially midway betweenthe cartons |32 and |33. The carton |3| is shown as completely taped,and the carton |32 is shown as having the top and the forward endthereof taped. As the cycle begins, the prime mover (not shown), throughthe chains 33 and 34 and the flights 4 I, moves the cartons forwardlyalong the plate 25 at substantially constant speed. As the chains 33 and34 are so moved, the cams and 12 are rotated in the direction indicatedby the arrows by the interconnecting chain drive provided by the chains6G and 60. It will be noted that the cutter-head assembly 84 is spacedabove the tape |35 at the point |31 in Figs. 1, 5 and 6. f

As the cartons move forwardly toward the positions thereof shown in Fig.3, the cam 12 maintains the carrier 42 and the pressure rollerassemblies |21 and |28, as well as the cutterhead assemblies 04, in thesame relative longi-y tudinal position with respect to the cartons |32and |33 as said parts had at the beginning of the cycle. However, as thecam 18 rotates from the position of Fig. 1 to the position of Fig. 3,the

follower 83 moves to the portion of the groove of said cam having areduced radius. This causes the lever to pivot in a clockwise direction,as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, and the cutter-head assembly is therebydrawn vertically downwardly relative to the carrier 42 to the positionthereof shown in Fig. 3. As the cutter-head assembly 84 so moves, theblade 89 thereof severs the tape along a diagonal transverse line.

The angularity of the cutting edge of the blade 89 with respect to thehorizontal plane of the tape |35 causes the blade 89 to begin theseverance at one edge of the tape |35, said severance progressingtransversely as the blade moves downwardly without any tendency to breakthe' tape. Further `downward movement of the cutterhead 84 causes therollers 96 and 99 to engage the tape |35 at the upper forward corner ofthe carton |33 and at the upper rear corner of the carton |32,respectively. It should be noted at this point that the pressure rollerassemblies |21 and |28 maintain a constant downward pressure on theupper surface of the tape |35 on top of the cover flaps at the rear endof the carton |32 and at the forward end of the carton |35 throughoutthe portion of the cycle so far described. Further downward movement ofthe cutter-head 84 causes the rollers 96 and 99 to be squeezed towardeach other and to move into rolling contact with the end walls of thecartons |33 and |32 respectively. As the rollers 96 and 99 move intosaid rolling contact, they also roll the severed ends of the tape |35into adhesive contact with the end walls of the cartons |33 and |32.Fig. 3 shows the cutter-head assembly 84 in its lowermost position afterhaving severed the tape |35 and after having applied the severed ends|38 and |39 of said tape to the adjacent end walls of the cartons |32and |33 respectively.

It will be noted by a comparison of Figs. 1 and 3 that during movementof the parts of the irnproved machine from the positions in Fig. 1 totheir positions in Fig. 3, the cartons were moved forwardly by theflights 4|. This is most clearly seen by reference to the position ofthe carton |34. In Fig. 1, the forward end wall of said carton is evenwith the forward edge of the bracket |29, whereas in Fig. 3 the forwardend wall of saidcarton is spaced a substantial distance forwardly of thebracket |29.

Continued operation of the improved niachine moves the carrier at thesame speed and in the samey direction that the cartons are moved. It isapparent, therefore, that the pressure roller assemblies |21 and |28maintain a constant downward pressure on the tape |35 at the rear end ofthe cover of the carton |32 and at the forward end of the carton |33during the entire period in which the cartons are moved from theirpositions shown in Fig. l to the positions thereof shown in solid linesin Fig. 4.

During this movement, the lever 60 is pivoted by the cams 19 and 19 andcam followers 33 in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby moving thecutter-head assembly 84 upwardly. As the cutter-head 84 so moves, therollers 94 and 99, being urged against the cartons |33 and |32 by thespring 93, firmly roll the tape ends |39 and |39 against the ends of thecartons |32 and |33 to insure positive adhesion `of said ends to saidcarton end walls.v Since the end portions of the carton cover flaps arefirmly held in downwardly folded position by the pressure rollerassemblies |21 and |28 during the entire cycle of vertical movement ofthe cutter-head 84, rm adhesion of the tape ends |38 and |39 is insured,and the cover flaps are thereafter firmly held in proper downwardlyfolded position by the tape. Application of the severed tape ends to thecartons while the cover1 flaps are so held avoids the possibility ofsaid cover flaps springing upwardly and loosening said tape ends beforethe adhesive thereof becomes set. The carton |32, in Fig. 4, iscompletely tape sealed.

Continued operation of the improved taping machine moves the parts fromthe solid line positions of Fig. 4 to the dot and dash line positions insaid gure. During this movement, the followers 14 and 16 travel in theportions of decreasing radius of the grooves of said cams and thecarrier 42 is thereby moved rearwardly to its position shown in Fig. l.The lever 80 and the cutter-head assembly 84 are not moved vertically asa result of rotation of said cams.

During movement of the parts from the solid line position of Fig. 4 thecartons are moved forwardly (to the left) at their normal constantspeed, and the carrier 42 is moved rearwardly. The pressure rollerassemblies |21 and |28, during this movement, maintain their normaldownward pressure on the tape applied to the folded cover flaps of thecartons and rollingly engage the intermediate portions of the same toinsure firm adhesion of said portions of the tape to the folded coverflaps of the carton.

Continued operation of the improved taping machine causes the cams 18and 19 and 1| and 12 to rotate to their positions shown in Fig. l, atwhich time a new taping cycle is begun. No movement is imparted eitherto the carrier 42 or to the cutter-head assembly 84 as said cams rotateto complete the cycle.

During movement of the parts to the positions shown in Fig, 1, however,the cartons are moved forwardly at their normal constant speed, and thecarton |33 is moved to the position of the carton |32 shown in Fig. 1.As the carton |33 is moved underneath the carrier 42 and the pressurerollers assemblies |28 and |21, the roller of each of said assembliesrollingly contacts, with a rm downward pressure, the entire length oftape |35 applied to the top of the carton |33. In addition, during thismovement the roller of the assembly |21 rollingly contacts with a firmdownward pressure, the tape applied to the forward end portion of thetop of the folded cover flaps of the carton |34. The machine at thispoint is ready to begin a new cycle in which the tape |35 is severedbetween the cartons |33 and |34 and the severed ends are applied to theadjacent end walls of said cartons in the same manner as the portions|38 and 39 were applied to the adjacent end walls of the cartons |32 and|33.

The improved taping machine is adapted for use in taping cartons fdifferent heights. For example, if cartons of smaller height thancartons |3| to |34 are to be taped, it is only necessary to loosen thenuts |8 and to slide the pressure roller assemblies |21 and |28 to acorrespondingly lower position wherein they can apply the desiredpressure to the tops of the smaller sized cartons. The nuts I l0 arethen, of course, tightened to secure the pressure roller assemblies inthe desired lower position.

The improved taping machine provides a means for eilciently andpositively tape sealing cartons. To open a carton sealed by the improvedmachine, it is only necessary to slit the tape longitudinally at thejuncture of the cover flaps and transversely at the edges of said coveraps at each end of the carton. The cover flaps may then be readilyopened to provide access to the interior of the carton. A carton openedin this manner is not damaged in any way, and unless mistreated, can bereused several times. When the taped carton is used for beer, saidcarton, upon beingr returned to the brewery with empty bottles therein,may be refilled With full bottles and be again tape sealed for shipment.

Figs. '1 and 8 show modified forms of the invention having embodiedtherein a power plunger for actuating the vertically reciprocatablecutter head. It will be noted that the cam and lever mechanism embodiedin the principal form of the invention to vertically reciprocate thecutter head is eliminated in the form of the invention shown in Fig. '7.In Figs. 7 and 8 the parts of the machine which are substantiallyidentical with analogous parts of the principal form of the inventionare indicated by the same reference characters primed.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. '1 a power plunger mechanism4| which is preferably a double-acting air pressure operated ram (butwhich may be any equivalent mechanism such as another form of iluidpressure operated ram, or a solenoid) is fixed to the transverse bars 43above the cutter head 84'. The mechanism IM is provided with an axiallyrcciprocatable rod or plunger |42 and is positioned with the axis of theplunger |42 extending vertically. 'I'he free end of the plunger |42 maybe bifurcated, as at |43, and said end is connected to the transversebar 'i1' on which the cutter head 84 is mounted, as shown. Suitableiiuid or electrical connections (not shown) as well as suitable switchesand/or valves (also not shown) are provided to control the operation ofthe cutter head 84 and to synehronize the operation thereof with themovement of the cartons.

Fig. 8 discloses a form of the invention which is adapted for use with aconveyor system on which the cartons are moved relatively slowly. In themachine shown in Fig. 8 the carrier 42 is xedly mounted on the framemembers I8' and I3', and therefore, the cam mechanism for horizontallyreciprocating the carrier 42 of the principal form is eliminated. A pairof spaced parallel upright structural members |44 are preferably slottedat their lower ends, as at |45, and are bolted through said slots toeach of the main frame side members I8' and |9 as by bolts |46. At theirupper ends, the members |44 support a transverse member |41 which maytake the form of a plate.

A power' plunger mechanism |48 is iixed at its upper end to the plate|41, as by bolting. The plunger mechanism |43 is similar to the powerplunger mechanism |4I, and is mounted with its axially movable plungeror rod |49 positioned for vertical movement. The plunger 49 is connectedto the transverse bar 11 for vertically reciprocating said bar and thecutter head 8f3. Suitable fluid or electrical connections (not shown),as well as suitable switches and/or valves are provided to control theoperation of the power plunger mechanism |48 and of the cutter head 84.

When it is desired to adjust the machine of Fig. 8 to adapt it for useon boxes of smaller or larger sizes, the vertical position of the rammechanism |48 can be adjusted readily. All that need be done toaccomplish this is to loosen the bolts |48 on each of the uprightmembers |44, move said uprights to the desired position, and then 13tighten the bolts |46. The pressure roller assemblies |21 and |28' maybe vertically adjusted in the same manner as the assemblies |21 and |28of the principal form of the invention.

Various changes and modications may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as maycome within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a taping machine having a conveyor for moving spaced, alinedcartons longitudinally through said machine and having means forapplying tape to the tops of said cartons as said cartons are movedforwardly through said machine; a carrier longitudinally reciprocatablymounted on said machine and including a head reciprocatable at rightangles to the path of travel of the carriers; carrier actuatingmechanism connected to said conveyor in timed relationship in a mannerto move said carrier rearwardly to a predetermined position relative toa pair of successive cartons on said conveyor and to move said carrierforwardly with and at the same speed as said conveyor for apredetermined distance; pressure members mounted on said head to deflectand press the out ends of tape against the ends of adjacent cartons; andadditional spaced pressure members mounted on said carrier in positionsto continuously engage tape applied to the tops of the adjacent endportions of said pair of successive cartons at all times that saidcarrier is in said predetermined position and throughout the forwardmovement of said carrier.

2. In a taping machine having a conveyor for moving spaced, alinedcartons longitudinally through said machine and having means forapplying tape to the tops of said cartons as said cartons are movedthrough said machine; a carrier disposed adjacent the course of travelof cartons on said conveyor; a movable cutting head including a tapesevering knife and spaced end-sealing pressure members flanking saidknife mounted on said carrier for movement thereon transversely to thecourse of travel of cartons on said conveyor; cutting head actuatingmechanism connected to said conveyor in timed relation therewithoperative to cause said cutting head to move between cartons to cut saidtape and press the cut ends of said tape against the adjacent cartonends when said cutting head is alined with a space between adjacentcartons; additional spaced pressure members more widely spaced than saidrst mentioned pressure members disposed on said carrier on oppositesides of said knife; and mounting means engaging said additionalpressure members for maintaining the longitudinal spacing between saidadditional pressure members and said knife constant and for supportingsaid additional pressure members in position to be engageable with andto apply downward pressure simultaneously against tape applied to thetop of the rear-end portion of one carton and tape applied to the top ofthe forward end portion of the rearwardly adjacent carton when saidcarrier is in a position between said cartons.

ADOLPH A. WAGNER. ARNOLD J. WERNER. WILLIAM R. ROSS.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,052,903 Stagmeier Sept. 1, 1936 2,083,257 Dyment June 8,1937 2,087,472 Dyment July 20, 1937

